Clutch mechanism.



No. 836,035. i PATENTED NOV. 13, 1906.

A. C. HENDRICKS. CLUTCH MECHANISM.

v APLLIOATION FILED JAN.Z0,1906.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

wi/bweooco No. 836,035. I Q PATENTED NOV. 13, 1906.

' A. O. HENDRICKS.

, CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20, 1906..

2 SHEETS-SHIET Z III/II mmll Q/Vi/bmc was atl'ozueq I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1906.

Application find January 20,1906. Serial No. 297.070.

' To all whom it inc/y concern;

Be it known that I, ADAM C. HENnRIoKs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hagerstown, in the county of Washington and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Clutch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to means for clutching two members against free independent or relative movement or rotation, and wh le particularly intended for usein connection with the driving mechanism of automobiles and the like is not necessarily limited thereto, but can be successfully employed in various types of machinery.

One of the particular objects is to provide in driving mechanism forself-propelled vehicles clutch means that will permit the use of a continuous undivided axle, thereby eliminating the usual expensive and intricate gearing and trusses employed with divided axles, will effect a secure automatic driving connection between the axle and the wheels when the driving-axle is operated in either direction, and will permit the overrunning of the wheels in either direction, and therefore the turning of corners or curves without undue friction.

Another and important object is to provide clutch mechanism that is very simple and inexpensive, iscomposcd of parts not liable to become-deranged, and furthermore, is so constructed that none of said parts is subjected to excessive strain or wear.

The referred embodiment of the invention is i lustrated in the accompanying drawings,'wherein- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the driving axle and wheels of an automobile, showing the casing therefor and illustrating the improved clutch mechanism. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view, on anenlarged scale, through said clutch mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line'4 4 of Fig. 2v Fig. 5 is a cross-section al View on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6'is a cross-sectional view on the line '66 of Fig. 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail sections illustrating the nialiner in which the clutch mechanism operates when the shaft is rotated in opposite directions.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the form shown, a tubular casing 17 is employed, through which extends a single Driven members or wheels 22 are loosely journaled on the ends of the shaft '18, which ends project beyond the casing, as shown, and mechanism is employed for independently connecting each wheel to the shaft. As these clutch mechanisms are duplicates in all respects, a description of one is believed to be su'llicient. v

A sleeve 23 is bolted, as shown at- 24, or otherwise secured to the wheel 22, said sleeve extending over a projecting portion of the shaft 18 and having an enlarged portion 25,-

that surrounds the enlarged portion 20 of the casing. Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 18 within the sleeve 23 is a cam element 26, which, as shown in Fig. 6, is provided with a plurality of cam-surfaces 27, extend ing in opposite directions equally from the axis of rotation of the shaft. Associated with this cam element is a guide element in the form of a ring 28, surrounding said cam element and having openings 29 therethrough, which openings are located over the cam-surfaces 27. Clamping devices in the form of rollers 30 are arranged in the openings 29 and have their inner sides bearing against the cam-surfaces 27, their outer sides being arranged to move into and out of clamping coaction with the inner surface of the sleeve 23. Thus when the rollers are centrallyupon the cam-surfaces 27 they will be out of binding engagement with the sleeve,'as shown inFi-g. 6; but if moved toward either end of said surfaces they will thereupon be brought into binding engagement with the sleeve, as shown in Figs. 7 and. 8. To secure these movements, the guide-ring and cam element are relatively movable, and for efi ecting' this.

relative movement the following mechanism 0 5 is preferably employed: I I The ring28 is provided at its mnerlsi de with an .inwardly-extendmg annular flange .31, surrounding a hub portion 32 on the cam element, and arranged directly adjacentto the flange and hub portion is a disk-head 33 of a retarding device having a thimble 34,

that is journaled on the shaft 18 and extends into the enlarged portion 20 of the stationary casing. The disk-head 33 is provided in its outer side with curved slots 35 and 36. A

projection or pin 37, carried by the cam element', projects into the slot 35, while a flat .lug 38, carried by the flange portion 31 ofthe guide-ring, projects into the other slot 36. Coiled springs 39 are located in said slot 36 on posits sides of the lug 38, and thus a yiel ing connection is secured between the guide-ring and the retarding device, allowing of the stationary casing by pins 41, which engage in said enla ed portion. This bearing-wall has a centre opening through which the shaft and thirnble 34 pass, and a Washer 42 is preferably interposed between the wall 40 and the disk-head 33 of the retarding device/ A friction-washer 4'3 bears against the inner side ofthe wall 40'and is urged thereagainst by a coiled spring 44, said spring surrounding the thimble 34 and having one end bearing against the washer 43, while its other end bears against a nut 45, threaded onto the inner end of the thimbie.

It is believedthat the operation of this portion of the structure can now be made clear. Assuming that the shaft 18 is stationary and that the guide-ring is disposed withtthe'openings 29 centrally of the camsurfaces 27, it will be apparent that the wheel will be unclutched from the shaft, and consequently is free to revolve in either direction. This will be evident by reference to Fig.6. If, however, the shaft 18 isstarted, the-cam element 26 will of course be revolved with it. The retarding device, however, will for an instant remain stationary, as the friction caused by. the spring 44 against the stationary wall 40 will prevent its movement.

Consequently the springs 39 in the slots 36 bearing against the lug 38 will also for an instant maintain the guide-ring 28 against movement. -As a result the cam element will move with respect to both the rin and the rollers and said rollers will be force out- 'wardly into binding engagement with the sleeve-as shown, for instance, in Fig. 7. During this movement, however, one of the s rings 39 will be compressed, and because of tlie connection between the retarding device,

- the can element, and the guide-ring these three parts will afterward revolve together. It will thus be seen that the driven member or wheel will be securely and automatically clutflred to the driving-shaft. At the same time if the speed of the wheel should exceed that of the shaft the guide -ring will be slightly moved with relation to the cam element, so that the wheel can readilyrevolve as long as this excessive speed is maintained. As soon, however, as the speed of the shaft reaches that of the wheel the clutching action will again take place. In view of the fact, therefore, that both of the wheels are independently connected to this single shaft or axle it will be apparent that in turning curvesor corners the outer wheel can overrun the inner one without any strain or friction on the arts, and therefore a divided shaft with ifferential gearing is urinecessary. If the direction of rotation of the shaft is reversed, thefirst action is to unelutch it from the wheel, but as the retarding device is again held for an instant it will in turn hold the guide-ring so that the rollers will be carried to the opposite ends of the cam-surfaces, and consequently the wheel will be reclutched for the reverse movement. This, it is believed, will be apparent by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Furthermore, when this reverse mover'nent takes place the wheels are still free to overrun the shaft; It will thus be seen that by means of the simple structure set forth a single shaft may be employed without differential gearing, and yet the mechanism allows the various necessarymovements of the wheels or driven members.

For the purpose of securing the driven members against movement or for stopping them the following clutch mechanism is preferably employed: The enlarged portion 20 of the casing constitutes a support for arotatable cam element 46, that is located within the enlarged portion 25 of the sleeve. The said enlarged portion 20 of the casing has an annular outstanding wall 47, that closes the inner end of the sleeve portion 25 and is provided with an inwardly-extending stationary guide element 48 in the form of a ring that surrounds the cam element 46 and has openings 49 therethrough. Rollers 50, located in the openings, have their inner sides operating against the cam-surfaces 51 of the cam elements 46, while their outer sides are arranged to bear against a shoe in the form of a split clutch-ring 52, surroundin the guide ri'ng 48 and secured thereto, as s own at 53. This securing means is referably in the form of 9. lug riveted to the s oe and havlever 55, fulcrumed, as shown at 56,upon the 7 wall 47 of the casing and having connected thereto a link 57, that is pivoted to a lug58 on the cam element, which lu projects through a slot 59 in thewall 47. t in ill thus I be seen that'if the lever 55 is operated the cam element 46 will be partially revolved and the clamping-rollers will be moved outwardly, thereby spreading the. shoe and causing it to be brought to binding engagementwith the surrounding portion of the sleeve. It will of course be understood that the two levers shown in Fig. 1 will be operated simultaneously to cause this clutching action. v

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be under stood that various changes in' the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I clalm as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In mechanism of the class described, the

combination with a stationary member, of a rotatable member, another rotatable member having a sleeve surrounding a portion of the first-mentioned rotatable member and a portion of the stationary member, and clutch mechanism mounted on said first-mentioned rotatable member and on the stationary member and movable into and out of co-- action with the sleeve.

' 2. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a stationary member, of a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a rotatable member having a sleeve surrounding the stationary'member and shaft, clutch mechanism mounted on the shaft within the sleeve and movable into and out of coaction,

Withthe inner face of the sleeve, and clutch mechanism-mounted on the stationary member and movable into and out of coaction' with the inner face of the sleeve.

3. In mechanism of the class described, the

- combination with a casing, of a shaft j our- -wheel loosely 'mounte naled therein, and pro'ecting therefrom, a on the projecting portion of the shaft and'havinga sleeve surrounding a portion of said' shaft and a portion of the "casin clutch mechanism carried by the shaft an interposed between the casing and the wheel, said clutch mechanism being located Within the sleeve and movable into and out of coaction with the inner face thereof, and other clutch mechanism mounted on 't'hc'casing and arranged Within the sleeve,

said latter clutch mechanism being also movable into and out of com-1 inn with the inner face of the sleeve.

' 4. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journaled therein and projecting therefrom, a wheel loosely journ aled on the shaft and having a sleeve portion, a cam fixed to the shaft rollers extending through the ring and coacting with the sleeve, a cam rotatably mounted on'the casing and arranged Within the sleeve, a fixed ring surrounding the latter cam, rollers extendingthrough the ring and cooperating with the'paln, and means for effecting the movement fof'the cam upon the easing.

5. In mechanismef the class described, the 'combination with ja' driving member, of a driven member, relatively movable cam and guide elements, a clamping device 'loosely locatedin the guide element and positively operated by the cam element uponthe rela- ;tive movement of said elements to clutch the driving and driven members, and friction means separate from the driven element for effecting the automatic relative movement of the cam and guide elements to cause the clamping device to clutch the driving and driven members.

6. In mechanism of the class described, the

driven member, relatively movable camand guide elements, a loose clam ing device operated upon by the cam an guide elements upon their relative movement, to clutch the idriving, and drivenmembers, and friction means for effecting the automatic relative movement of the cam and guide elements to cause the clamping device to clutch the driving and driven members, said means including a bearing that is stationary with respect Eto the cam and guide, and a device movable With both the cam and'guide and having a frictional engagement with the bearing.

7. In mechanism of the class described, the

driven 'member, relatively movable cam and guide elements, a loose clamping device operated upon by the cam and guide element upon t eir relative movement to clutch the driving and driven members, and friction means for effecting the automatic relative movement of the cam and guide elements to "cause the. clamping device to clutch the driving and driven members, said means including a bearing that is stationary with respect to the cam and guide, and a device movable withrespect to and movable with both the cam and guide, said device having a frictional engagement With the bearin 8. In mechanism of the class the combination with a driving member, ofa driven member, relatively movable camand guide elements, a loose clamping device operated upon by the cam and guide elements upon their relative movement to clutch the driving and driven members, and friction means for effecting the automatic relative movedescribed,

.vice for eiiectin ment of the cam and guide elements to cause the clamping device to clutch the driving and driven members, said means including a bearing that is stationary with respect to the cam and guide, and a device movable with the cam and guide and having a yielding connection with one, said device also having a frictional engagement with the bearin 9. In mechanism of the class describe the combinationwith rotatable driving and driven members, of relatively movable cam andguide'elements rotatable with the members, a' clamping device operated by the cam and guide elements on their relative movements, a non-rotary friction-bearing, a dethe relative movement of the cam and uide elements, and means for effecting a yieIding engagement between said wall, of rotatable driving and driven members associated therewith, a clutch for connecting the members, including relatively. movable cam and guide elements rotatable with the members, a retarding device for effecting the relative movement of the elements, said device including a thimble extending through the wall and havin a connection with one of the elements, an aspring mounted on the thimble and having a bearing against the stationary Wall.

12. In mechanism of the class described, the combinationwith a support includin a stationary wall, of a driving-shaft journaIed on the support, a wheel loosel mounted on the shaft, clutch mechanism or connecting the shaft to the wheel, said mechanismincluding a cam element and a ring element surrounding the same, means for effecting the relative movement of the cam and ring elements, said means comprising a retarding device associated with'the elements and having a thimble mounted on the shaft and extending through the stationary wall of the support, a friction device mounted on the thimble, and a s ring bearin against the friction device an thimble and surrounding said thimble. I

13. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable driving and driven members, of means for clutching the members together, .said means including relatively movable cam and guide elements fecting the relative movement of the cam and guide elements, said device being rotatable rotatable with the members, a device Ior efwith both elements and with respect to both' elements and being furthermore rotatable with the driving and driven elements, and

connections between the device and both elements to limit their relative movements.

14. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable driving and driven members, of means for clutching the same together, said means including relatively movable cam and guide elements rotatable with the members, a retarding device for effecting the relative movements of the elements, said retarding device bein rotatable with the elements and having s ots, and

projections carried by the cam and guide ele ments and engaging in the slots.

15. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable driving and driven members, of means for clutching the same together, said means including relatively movable cam and guide elements rotively rotatable cam andguide-ring elements that are rotatable with the shaft and driven member, a retarding device mounted on the shaft and having slots, projections carried by the cam and guide-ring elements and located in the slots, and ,a spring arranged in one of the slots and bearing against the projection "therein.

17. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a casing having a etationary bearing-wall, of a shaft jlourn'aled in the casing and extending throw the .wall, a driven member associated "tdi means for clutching, the sha v member} said means includin a cam element, an a guide ring surrouiiiiing the element and movablewith res ect thereto,

clamping-rollers associated it the cam and guide ring elements, a retarding device mounted on the shai t, and including a thimble extending'throu 'h the stationary bearing wall, said thimble having a head provided with slots, projections carried by the guidering and the cam elements and located in the slots, and a friction device havin an 'enga ement with the bearing-wall, sai friction evice having a yielding connection with the thimble.

the shaft, t to the driven slots, guideto the member, said means including rela- 1 18. In mechanism of the class described,

' the combination with rotatable driving and driven members, of cam and guide elements rotatable therewith and relatively movable in opposite directions, a clamping device operated by the elements upon their relative movements in op osite directions, and means,

the combination with rotatable driving and driven members, of relatively movable cam and guide elements rotatable therewith,

clamping device operated by the elements upon. their relative movement, a friction device movably su iportcd on and by the drivmg member an being rotatable therewith. said device being associated withv one of the elements for initially holding it against move ment with the driving member, and means i'rictionally engaging the device for resisting its rotation with the driving member.

20. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable driving and driven members; of relatively movable cam and guide elements supported on and carried by the driving member and being also capable of rotation therewith, a clamping device operated by the elements upon their relative movement, a friction device movably supported on and by the driving membet and being capable of rotation therewith, said friction device being associated with one oi the elements I or initiallvholding it against movement uith the driving member and be ing rotated with the other member, and means that trictioually engages said device or resisting its rotation with the driving member. i

21. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable driving and d'llv on members rotatable in opposite directions, of mechanism for automatically clutch.- ing the driven member to the driving member upon the rotation of the latter in either direction, said. means including relatively movablecani and guide elements, a retardindevice loosely mounted on one of the membcrs and inovably associated with one of the elements to etl'ect an initial movement thereof slower than the other element upon the initial movement of the driving member in either direction, and frictioi. means engaging the retarding device to initiallyhold it against movement with the member that carries it.

22. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with rotatable driving and driven members rotatable in. opposite directions, of mechanism for automatically clutching the driven member to the driving mem berupon the rotation of the latter in either direction, said means includingrelatively movable cam and guide elements, a retardingfdeviceassociated with one of the elements toefi ect-an initial movement thereof slower than the other element upon the initial movement of the drivin member in either direction, said retarding device having a limited movement independent of one of the elements, and a yielding connection between said element and the retarding device.

23. In mechanism of the class-described, the combination with rotatable driving and driven-members rotatable in opposite directionsofimechanism for automatically clutching the driven member to the driving member upon the rotation 01' the latter in either direction, said means including relatively movable cam and guide elements, a retarding device associated with one 0'! the elements to ellect an initial movement thereof slower than the other element upon the initial movement of the driving member in either direction, said retarding-device having a limited movement independent of one of the elemerits and having a slot, a iriction projection carried by said element and extending into the slot. and springs located in the slot on opposite sides of the projection.

24. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a driving member, of a driven member, clutch mechanism for connecting the members, said clutch mechanism, comprising a cam element, a guide-ring siirroundni the same and having openings, and rollers ocated in openings and operated by the cam element upon the relative movement of the cam element and ring, a retard ing device rotatable with the cam element and ring, friction means for resisting the movement of the retarding device, said retarding device having slots, projections carried by the cam element of the ring and engaging in the slots, and springs located in one oi the slots and bearing against the opposite sides of the projections therein.

2. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a ,casing including a bearing-wall, a shaft jouri'ialed in the casing and projecting therefrom, a rotatable memher loosely journaled on the shaft and having a sleeve portion, a cam fixed to the shaft within the sleeve portion, a guide-ring surrounding the cam andhaving openings therethrough, clam ing-rollers mounted in the guide-ring, said rollers'being operated upon by the cam and cooperating with the sleeve portion, a retarding device comprising a thimble extendin through the bearin -wall and having a head at one end provide With slots, projections carried by the ring and cam and located in the slots, a bearing washer located. on the thimble and engaging the. l: earing-wall, and a coiled spring located on said thimble and bearing against the Washer. 26. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a rotatable drivingshaft, ofa driven \Wheel loosely journaled on the shafnand means for clutching the wheel to the shaft, said means including a cam ele- IllfiJJbSQCUIGdi-O the shaft, another element rotatably mounted with respect to the earn element, a clamping device carried bf" the latter element and. operated on, the re ative movement of said elements, a retarding de vice mounted on the shaft and having a limited rotatable movement thereon, said retarding dev ice being connected to said elementstfor relatively; moving the same, and

friction means engaging the retarding device for opposing its movement.

27. In mechanism of the class described,

the combination with a rotatable drivingshai t, of'a driven Wheel loosely journale'd on the.sl 1aft,- and means for clutching the wheel to the shaft, said means including relatively movable elements mounted on the shaft and .a clampin device operated by the elements relative rotation of the elements, and means aaao'as engaging: the retaxding; devices for assisting its rotation with theshaft.

28,131 mechanism of the class described,

the combination withpa rotatable drivingshaft, iof a driven wheel loosely .joiimaled. on

theshaft, and means for clutching the wheel to the shaft. said means includin relatively clamping device operated byithe elements movable elements mounted on t e'shafh-a on their relative movements' a retarding device also movably mounted on the shaft. for

effecting the relative movementof the elements,.and.s,tationary holdin means; having a frictional engagementiwit ;the-.re tardingdevice, for. resisting its movement, .with. the shaft.

- In testiinony'that. I claim the ioregoiegtas 

